Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm, cinnamon-spiced apples baking in the oven, and this Apple Crumble Pie Recipe delivers just that in the most delicious way. A traditional apple pie with a buttery, flaky crust meets a crumbly, golden topping that will melt in your mouth. This dessert is the perfect combination of a classic apple pie and a crumble, offering a comforting and rustic treat for any occasion. Whether you’re making it for Thanksgiving, a family gathering, or a simple weeknight dessert, this pie will impress everyone. Keep reading to discover how you can make this delightful pie at home!

this Recipe

What is Apple Crumble Pie?

Apple Crumble Pie is a hybrid dessert that combines the best of two worlds: a classic apple pie filling with a buttery, flaky bottom crust, and a sweet, crunchy crumble topping. It’s filled with tender, cinnamon-scented apples that become soft and juicy as they bake, while the buttery crumble adds a satisfying crunch on top. This pie is perfect for fall and winter when apples are in season, but it can be enjoyed year-round thanks to the availability of apples in grocery stores. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ve got yourself a cozy dessert that’s hard to beat!

Ingredients List for Apple Crumble Pie

To make the perfect Apple Crumble Pie, you’ll need a mix of classic apple pie ingredients and a few pantry staples for the crumble topping. Here's what you'll need:

Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 2-3 tablespoons ice water

(Or use a store-bought pie crust to save time)

Apple Filling Ingredients:

• 6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent browning and add brightness)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crumble Topping Ingredients:

• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup old-fashioned oats
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

Substitutions and Variations

No need to worry if you don’t have all the exact ingredients on hand. You can easily make a few substitutions and variations to suit your taste or dietary needs:

• Crust Alternatives: If you're short on time, you can use a store-bought pie crust or even a ready-made graham cracker crust for a slightly different texture and flavor.
• Different Apple Varieties: While Granny Smith apples are the classic choice for their tartness, you can use Honeycrisp, Fuji, Pink Lady, or a mix of these for a sweeter, more complex flavor.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in both the crust and crumble topping.
• Nuts in the Crumble: Add ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumble for added crunch and flavor.
• Caramel Apple Crumble Pie: Drizzle a layer of caramel sauce over the apple filling before adding the crumble topping for an extra indulgent twist.
• Spices: Customize the spice blend by adding ground ginger or cardamom to the filling for a more complex, aromatic flavor.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide to making the perfect Apple Crumble Pie from scratch, including the crust, filling, and the irresistible crumble topping. Follow these instructions carefully to get a pie that’s perfectly sweet, crunchy, and full of autumnal flavors.

Step 1: Make the Pie Crust

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.
3. Add Ice Water: Drizzle in 2 tablespoons of ice water and mix with a fork. If the dough is still crumbly, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.
4. Chill the Dough: Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 days).
5. Roll Out the Dough: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle, about ⅛ inch thick. Transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish, trim any excess dough, and crimp the edges as desired. Place the pie shell in the fridge to keep cold while you prepare the filling and crumble topping.

(Tip: If using store-bought pie dough, simply roll it out and place it in the pie dish, then refrigerate.)

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

1. Peel and Slice the Apples: Peel the apples, core them, and slice them into ¼-inch thick slices. Place the apple slices in a large mixing bowl.
2. Toss the Apples: Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the apples. Toss everything together until the apples are well coated in the sugar-spice mixture.
3. Let the Apples Sit: Let the apple mixture sit for 10 minutes. This allows the apples to release some of their juices, which will help create a thicker filling during baking.

Step 3: Make the Crumble Topping

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
2. Add the Butter: Pour the melted butter over the dry ingredients and mix until the topping is crumbly and the butter is fully incorporated. The mixture should clump together slightly when pressed.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake the Pie

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Fill the Pie Crust: Take the pie crust out of the fridge and spoon the apple filling into the crust, spreading it out evenly.
3. Top with Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples, covering the entire surface.
4. Bake the Pie: Place the pie on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the crumble is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling. If the crust or topping starts to brown too quickly, tent the pie with aluminum foil during the last 20 minutes of baking.
5. Cool the Pie: Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the filling set and makes slicing easier.

How to Cook Apple Crumble Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you assemble the pie.
2. Prepare the Pie Crust: Make your homemade pie crust or roll out a store-bought one, and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Keep it cold in the fridge.
3. Mix the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and slice your apples. Toss them with sugar, spices, flour, and lemon juice.
4. Prepare the Crumble Topping: Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
5. Assemble the Pie: Fill the pie crust with the spiced apple mixture, then sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples.
6. Bake the Pie: Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden.
7. Cool the Pie: Let the pie cool for at least an hour before serving to allow the filling to set.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Apple Crumble Pie, it’s easy to fall into a few common pitfalls. Avoid these mistakes for a perfect pie every time:

• Using the Wrong Apples: Avoid using apples that are too soft (like Red Delicious), as they will turn mushy during baking. Use firm, tart apples like Granny Smith for the best texture and flavor.
• Not Chilling the Crust: A cold pie crust is key to a flaky texture. Make sure to chill your pie dough before rolling it out and again before baking.
• Overcrowding the Apples: Don’t pile the apples too high in the pie. They’ll shrink as they cook, and too many apples can make the filling watery.
• Skipping the Cooling Step: Let the pie cool for at least an hour before slicing. This will allow the filling to set properly.

Serving and Presentation Tips

When it comes to serving Apple Crumble Pie, you can keep it simple or dress it up with a few garnishes:

• Serve with Ice Cream: Warm slices of apple crumble pie are best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Drizzle Caramel Sauce: For extra indulgence, drizzle warm caramel sauce over each slice just before serving.
• Add Extra Cinnamon: Dust the top of the pie with a little extra cinnamon for an aromatic touch.

How to Serve Apple Crumble Pie

To serve your Apple Crumble Pie, let it cool slightly so the filling firms up. Then, use a sharp knife to cut into even slices. For the best flavor experience, serve the pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or chilled with a dollop of whipped cream. Either way, this pie will be a hit with your family and friends.

Presentation Ideas for Apple Crumble Pie

Here are some creative ways to present your Apple Crumble Pie to make it even more inviting:

• Add a Rustic Look: Keep the edges of your pie crust rough and uneven for a rustic, homemade look.
• Mini Apple Crumble Pies: Make individual mini pies using a muffin tin or mini tart pans for a fun, single-serving presentation.
• Serve in a Cast Iron Skillet: For a more casual, rustic presentation, bake the pie in a cast iron skillet and serve it straight from the skillet at the table.

Apple Crumble Pie Recipe Tips

• Use a Mix of Apples: For the best flavor, use a combination of sweet and tart apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp.
• Prevent a Soggy Bottom: To avoid a soggy bottom crust, sprinkle a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch on the crust before adding the apple filling.
• Make Ahead: You can prepare the pie crust and apple filling ahead of time. Simply store them separately in the fridge and assemble the pie when ready to bake.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make Apple Crumble Pie ahead of time?
Yes! You can make this pie up to 1 day in advance. Store it at room temperature, covered loosely with foil. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Q: Can I freeze Apple Crumble Pie?
Yes, you can freeze the unbaked or baked pie. To freeze unbaked, assemble the pie and freeze it. Bake straight from frozen, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time. To freeze baked, allow the pie to cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Q: What are the best apples for Apple Crumble Pie?
Granny Smith apples are ideal due to their tartness and firm texture, but you can also use Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Pink Lady, or a combination of apples for more flavor complexity.

Q: Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling the apples is recommended for a smoother texture, but if you prefer more texture or enjoy the added fiber, you can leave the peels on.

Conclusion

This Apple Crumble Pie Recipe is the ultimate fall dessert—warm, comforting, and filled with the perfect balance of sweet and tart apples, all topped with a buttery, crumbly topping. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this pie is easy to make and always a hit at the table. Serve it warm with ice cream or whipped cream, and enjoy the comforting taste of cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in a golden crust. Now that you know the secrets to a perfect Apple Crumble Pie, get ready to wow your family and friends with this timeless dessert!

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